Acupuncture can help with weight loss

Acupuncture can help with weight loss

The study found that acupuncture in combination with other healthy lifestyle choices, such as food choice, portion control and regular exercise, was effective in enhancing weight loss and improving cholesterol and triglycerides, or both.

by Sheri Singer — 

According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009-2010), two out of every three American adults are overweight or obese. As Americans gear up to watch what they eat and hit the gym, the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine® (NCCAOM) may have a secret to aid in weight loss — acupuncture.

A 2012 randomized, controlled clinical trial conducted by researchers in Iran and China examined 196 participants. The study found that acupuncture in combination with other healthy lifestyle choices, such as food choice, portion control and regular exercise, was effective in enhancing weight loss and improving cholesterol and triglycerides, or both.

“Acupuncture by itself is not the silver bullet to weight loss, but combined with exercise and a healthy diet, it can curb cravings and help patients keep the weight off,” said Afua Bromley, MSOM, Dipl. Ac, L.Ac.

“For example, one overweight patient using acupuncture for weight loss lost 10 pounds in two weeks,” continued Bromley. “When she started to gain the weight back, she admitted to eating pizza every night at 10 p.m. Acupuncture alone will not help you lose weight, but when combined with diet and exercise, it can help you to reach your weight loss goals.”

“While acupuncture may help with weight loss, today’s acupuncturists can address many health concerns, including addiction, reducing pain, digestive issues and headaches, as well as improving immune system function and overall health,” says Dr. Kory Ward-Cook, CEO of the NCCAOM.

Sheri Singer is head of communications for NCCAOM, a nonprofit organization that has certified more than 24,000 Diplomates in acupuncture, Chinese herbology, Asian bodywork therapy and Oriental medicine in America. nccaom.org.

Reprinted from AzNetNews, Volume 35, Number 1, February/March 2016.